Where the Florida Things Live invites readers, both children and the adults who love Florida’s wild places, into a playful, imaginative world rooted in real native species and the landscapes they call home. The project began unexpectedly when artist and author Alice Absolutely stumbled across KoStar’s whimsical, Florida-inspired reinterpretation of Where the Wild Things Are on social media. She rushed to her DMs to ask whether he’d turn the concept into a full book together; he said yes and the rest in now in print.

Their collaboration grew into a vivid, nostalgic, and slightly mischievous celebration of Old Florida, created with the hope of sparking curiosity, affection, and a touch of environmental awareness in readers of all ages. Published under Hane Lake Press, the book is the second in a growing collection of Florida-focused titles that honor the wild character of the Sunshine State and the artist who try to capture it.